Untreated Sewage Leaks Into River Near Eastleigh

Untreated sewage has leaked into a tributary of the River Itchen near Eastleigh.

Southern Water says it was due to a fault at a pumping station in Brambridge, which has now been fixed.

In a statement, Southern Water said:

"Southern Water removes wastewater from Otterbourne and Brambridge. The wastewater flows from these areas are carried to a pumping station in Brambridge where they are pushed forward by electric pumps to a treatment works where the flows are treated before being safely recycled back into the environment.

"We have identified some operational problems at the pumping station in Brambridge, which, regrettably, has resulted in some wastewater entering a tributary of the River Itchen via a manhole.

"Our initial investigations show that the pumps may not have not been operating as they should at all times which has caused some wastewater to overflow from the manhole. The recent exceptional rainfall may have affected the pumps, but we cannot confirm this until our investigation is complete.

"Ammonia levels in samples taken from the watercourse are very low which indicate that the wastewater which left the manhole was highly dilute or only small amounts escaped.

"However, we want to reassure our customers that we take our responsibility to the environment seriously and we now have crews at the station 24-hours a day to ensure it operates as it should while we establish the cause of the problems.

"We are also continuing to work with the Environment Agency to ensure the impact on the environment is minimised as quickly as possible.